South Africans who made headlines in 2024
We look at the newsmakers of 2024 and recall why they were in the news – some did good, others were mired in controversy and some beloved figures tragically lost their lives.
2024 was a year of triumphs and challenges for South Africans, with sports stars making history, shifts shaking up the political landscape and the nation mourning the loss of beloved figures.
Caxton Local Media looks at some of the highs and lows:
Sports stars
Tatjana Smith
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South Africa’s golden girl Tatjana Smith dominated news headlines when she became the country’s most decorated Olympian at the Olympic Games held in Paris this year.
She won the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke and the silver medal in the 200m breaststroke.
At the previous Olympic Games in 2020, she won the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke and the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke. With four Olympic medals to her name, she became the most decorated South African athlete.
Springboks
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Still riding the wave of winning the Rugby World Cup in 2023, the Springboks did not disappoint when they continued their winning streak in 2024.
The team ended the year at the number one position in World Rugby rankings and clinched the Rugby Championship trophy.
No less than four Springbok players were nominated for awards at the 2024 World Rugby Awards.
Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit were all nominated for the Player of the Year award – with Du Toit walking away with the title.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was nominated for the Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Seven Springbok players were included in the Word Rugby Awards’ dream team of the year.
There’s no doubt that the Springboks kept uniting South Africans in 2024 with their outstanding achievements.
Dricus ‘Stillknocks’ du Plessis
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In January, Dricus du Plessis became the first South African to win an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) belt after defeating Sean Strickland for the middleweight title. Citizens across the country were nailed to their screens early in the morning to witness the historic moment.
Social media exploded afterwards when Du Plessis coined the now-famous South African saying: “Suid-Afrika, hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie!”
He went on to defend his title in August, after beating Israel Adesanya. Adesanya tapped out in the fourth round.
Du Plessis took the International Fighter of the Year title at the 16th annual World MMA Awards in December.
Current events and public figures
Mia le Roux
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Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, made headlines this year after she was the first hearing-impaired winner of the pageant.
She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was a year old and received a cochlear implant when she was only two.
In her acceptance speech, Le Roux committed to using her platform to address difficulties faced by the differently abled and to advocate for a more inclusive South Africa.
Even though she had to withdraw from the Miss Universe competition in November due to health concerns, she continues to make SA proud.
Oscar Pistorius
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Former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius made headlines when he was released on parole in January.
He served nearly nine years of his 13-year sentence before he was released into the care of his uncle under strict parole conditions, Pretoria Rekord reported.
Pistorius fired four shots through the bathroom door of his Pretoria East home in Silver Lakes, killing his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14, 2013.
He entered a not-guilty plea to the charges, denying that he killed Steenkamp in rage and claiming that he mistook her for an intruder.
Mama Joy
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Mama Joy, also known as one of South Africa’s ‘super fans’, made the news for various reasons in 2024.
Maybe the most notable case was when government halted her funding to attend major sporting events across the world.
This after sports minister Gayton McKenzie announced that he ‘stopped all trips for super fans’ in July.
“We have athletes and artists who are struggling to raise money to attend sporting events and exhibitions; how do we justify paying for fans? We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed most,” McKenzie said at the time.
More recently, in September, she was in the news again after she got married to her French partner, who is affectionately known as Papa Joy.
Letaba Herald reported the pair had a traditional wedding in Mbokota village outside Malamulele, Limpopo.
She met the love of her life during the Rugby World Cup in France last year.
Celebrity divorces
Although 2024 was filled with scores of highlights, unfortunately, South Africans weren’t spared heartbreak, as several celebrity couples announced they were getting divorced.
Maybe the most notable divorce was that of Siya and Rachel Kolisi. Scores of South Africans took to social media to share their shock and sadness when they announced their divorce in October.
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Other celebrities who announced that they were getting divorced in 2024 include comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout and his wife, Mica McKechnie, and Afrikaans singer Bobby van Jaarsveld and wife Anna.
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Politicians
Gayton McKenzie
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Following the general elections in March 2024, several politicians caught the attention of South Africans – including Gayton McKenzie, who was appointed as the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture in the Government of National Unity.
McKenzie has somewhat of a controversial past, having spent eight years in jail for armed robbery when he was 21 years old.
After he was released from prison he became a businessman, motivational speaker and author. He founded the Patriotic Alliance in 2013.
As mentioned previously, early in his tenure as sports minister, he announced that funding for super fans to attend major sporting events across the world would be cut.
He also got involved in the debate around Chidimma Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant earlier this year. It was later established that her birth was allegedly registered fraudulently in South Africa, after which she withdrew from the competition.
Jacob Zuma
Former president Jacob Zuma made waves in South African politics in 2024 for several reasons.
He caught South Africans by surprise when he announced in December 2023 that he would not support the ANC in the 2024 general elections, but rather a newly formed party: uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party).
This move set a series of other political happenings in motion. A week before the general elections, the Constitutional Court found that Zuma was not allowed to serve in Parliament because of his prison sentence for contempt of court.
The young MK Party fared surprisingly well in the general election.
In July, Zuma was expelled from the ANC because of his involvement in campaigning for the MK Party during the elections.
He was also in the news due to ongoing legal challenges, relating to corruption and state capture, including the controversial arms deals case.
Musicians
Tyla
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South African music was put on the map when singer Tyla won a Grammy for Best African Music Performance for her song Water.
She also gained massive popularity on social media, sporting almost 10 million followers on Instagram.
Deaths of well-known figures
Even though 2024 was filled with joy and incredible achievements, it was also marked with sadness when several loved figures passed away.
Here are some of the well-known South Africans who passed away this year.
Jan Bloukaas
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Afrikaans singer Jan Bloukaas passed away on December 3 at the age of 25 after bravely fighting brain cancer since 2022.
Breyten Breytenbach
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Renowned South African poet, novelist, painter and activist Breyten Breytenbach passed away on November 24 at the age of 85 in Paris.
According to a statement by the Breytenbach Sentrum, Breytenbach’s work shaped literature and the arts both locally and abroad. Known for his masterful literary creations such as The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist and A Season in Paradise, he fearlessly addressed themes of exile, identity and justice.
Pravin Gordhan
Shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former minister and struggle stalwart Pravin Gordhan. He worked selflessly to help bring about democracy and did a stellar job in making SARS a world class institution. Heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and… pic.twitter.com/aV53EpKWRG
— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) September 13, 2024
Pravin Gordhan, former minister of public enterprises, died at the age of 75 on September 13 in Johannesburg. He had an illustrious political career spanning over several decades.
Tito Mboweni
I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Comrade Tito Mboweni. His passing is a profound loss for South Africa, as he was a dedicated public servant who played a crucial role in shaping the country’s economic policies. As the former… pic.twitter.com/80dgL15QHd
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) October 12, 2024
Tito Mboweni passed away at the age of 65 on October 12. Mboweni was the first minister of labour from 1994 to 1999 in democratic South Africa, in the cabinet of Nelson Mandela.
He then served as the governor of the South African Reserve Bank for 10 years, from 1999 onward.
Mboweni returned to politics when he served as the minister of finance from 2018 to 2021 before he retired.
Luke Fleurs
It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce that Kaizer Chiefs player, Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
The SAPS are handling… pic.twitter.com/4CTCiH1I41
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) April 4, 2024
Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs was killed in a hijacking on April 3 at the age of 24.
The shooting happened at a petrol station in Florida, Johannesburg. The shooters fled in his vehicle. Six people were arrested in connection with his death.
Connie Chiume
Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of multi-award winning and legendary actress Connie Chiume. Her outstanding work will always be remembered. 💔🕊️#RIPConnieChiume pic.twitter.com/6GlE4QLkpV
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) August 6, 2024
Actress Connie Chiume passed away on August 6 at the age of 72.
She was especially known for her roles in Rhythm City and Black Panther.
“Her passing at age 72 marks a profound loss for the South African nation and the world of arts and culture. Chiume’s matchless talents and dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many,” the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said in a statement at the time.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
